Politics Health or Privilege? Court Probes Thaksin’s Extended Hospitalization

[webfact]

File photo

 

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra opts for a written statement, steering clear of a June 13 court hearing aimed at probing the enforcement of his prison sentence.

 

His legal representative, Winyat Chartmontri, has confirmed Thaksin will not show up at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions in person.

 

The former prime minister plans to provide medical proof of illness alongside evidence and documents scrutinising his imprisonment process, including the hotly debated transfer from Bangkok Remand Prison to Police General Hospital.

 

Winyat maintained that Thaksin's transfer adhered to Department of Corrections' norms, reassuring there's no reason for concern since all procedures were properly followed.

 

Thaksin's jail stint has been overshadowed by his long-standing health issues. "Thaksin experienced difficult conditions [in jail] prompting doctors at the Department of Corrections Hospital to recommend his transfer.

 

Complications then arose. He has a past with lung disease and high blood pressure," Winyat remarked.

The court inquiry, sparked by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, seeks clarity on Thaksin's treatment privileges at the police hospital from his first custody night.

 

Even after Charnchai's petition was denied due to his lack of direct involvement, the court decided to independently probe the department’s choices, requiring explanations from the concerned parties, including Thaksin himself.

 

Thaksin, now 75, initially sentenced to eight years, later reduced to a mere year by a royal pardon, has yet to endure a single jail night.

 

After six months, he qualified for parole. Under legal provisions, prisoners can seek treatment outside for 120 days, yet the Department of Corrections sanctioned his hospital stay for over 180 days, citing prison conditions as life-threatening.

 

All costs, including an 8,500-baht-per-night VIP hospital room, were borne by Thaksin for his six-month hospital sojourn, as a parliamentary committee was informed last November.

 

This unfolding saga continues as the court grapples with understanding whether regulations were side-stepped in Thaksin's favour.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-03

 

 

[ozz1]

What a joke this judicial system is we all know the outcome wasn't he given a pardon

[klauskunkel]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He has a past with lung disease and high blood pressure

I have a past with puberty, it has since subsided. I now have a present with midlife crisis...

[hotchilli]

Privileged without a doubt